Economic development and success is virtually recognized as the most imperative tool for Black empowerment, of course besides issues like civil rights and political influence, among others.
Likewise, well-roundness in the areas of health and wellness is arguably just as vital to Black empowerment as economic leverage and political influence are.
It seems that health and wellness, from a conceptual standpoint, has been relegated only to diet, exercise and mental well-being. While these may be the three core values that holistic health and wellness consist of, there is a myriad of components that must be considered as it pertains to all-around health – – especially for Black America.
Thousands of Black Americans die yearly from chronic health issues, and are purportedly affected by serious health conditions disproportionately worse than other Americans (White, Hispanic and Asian particularly), according to nutritional experts and researchers.
For years, local and national representatives take valuable time and effort to emphasize the integrality of healthfulness in the Black community. Presumably, most Americans know that a well-rounded, balanced diet and exercise are needed to live healthier lives.
But what about the factors needed to nourish the whole man – both spirit, soul and body? What about prayer and fasting? Or proper amounts of rest and water intake? Or abstinence from nicotine, alcoholic beverages, or any other harmful substance that impairs mental faculties? How about abstinence from unhealthy relationships? Or simply reading on a daily basis? Research shows that even something as simple as forgiveness can reduce stress in dramatic volumes.
The aforementioned questions have not perhaps been addressed on the scale that they should have as it relates to wholesome health and wellness among Black Americans, young, old and middle-aged.
While more needs to be done to highlight the importance of true holistic health and wellness in Black America, one cannot deny the disturbing health disparities that Black people suffer from. In addition, it is needful to note the racial bias in the American healthcare system.
Risa Lavizzo-Mourey and David Williams, authors of the U.S. News & World Report article, “Being Black Is Bad for Your Health,” make note of the nation’s daunting health equity challenges: “The health disparities between blacks and whites run deep, no matter the age or ailment. Adult obesity rates for African-Americans are higher than those for whites in nearly every state. They have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease than other groups. Black children have a 500 percent higher death rate from asthma compared to white children. And African-American adults with cancer are much less likely to survive prostate, breast and lung cancer than white adults.”
Lavizzo-Mourey and Williams also made this commendable observation with their research: “the affluent white neighborhood of Bethesda, Md., is associated on average with an additional 10 years of life compared to people who are born in primarily poor, black Southeast Washington, D.C., only 10 miles away. Where we live can determine opportunities to access high-quality education, employment, housing, fresh foods or outdoor space – all contributors to our health.”
Michelle A. Gourdine, an esteemed pediatrician and respected Black scholar, authored an interactive guide for Black Americans seeking a healthier lifestyle.
Also, she is the CEO and principal consultant of Michelle Gourdine and Associates, a health policy consulting firm.
According to a Yale University webpage, Reclaiming Our Health: A Guide to African American Wellness (2011) opens with an overview of the primary health concerns facing the Black community and explains who is at the greatest risk of illness. Expanding on her career and life experiences as a Black physician, Gourdine presents key insights into the ways Black culture shapes health choices—how beliefs, traditions, and values can influence eating choices, exercise habits, and even the decision to seek medical attention. She translates extensive research into practical information and presents readers with concrete steps for achieving a healthier lifestyle, as well as strategies for navigating the health-care system. She is based in the Baltimore area, and formerly served as the deputy secretary of health and chief public health physician for the state of Maryland.
“We all know what it is that we need to do to improve our health – we need to eat right, we need to exercise, we need to maintain a healthy weight and get regular checkups,” Gourdine said in a 2011 interview with WMAR-2 News.
“But there are cultural factors and environmental factors that impact all of us in terms of helping us to be motivated to what it is that we need to do… I wrote this book to empower our community to solve our own health problems and to save our own lives,” added Gourdine, elaborating on the content of her work.
Health and wellness goes far deeper than having a lean body, a healthy heart, and a sensible diet. As aforesaid – fitness, diet and mental health has its place, but the nourishment and health of the inner man, the emotions and the conscience can’t be disregarded.
Booker T. Washington, one of the most dominant Black leaders to ever live, would agree that Black people’s empowerment lies largely in health and wellness education according to one of his less quoted statements: “The future of the race depends on the conservation of our health.”
Demetrius Dillard is a North Carolina-based freelance writer. He can be contacted at demetriusd33@gmail.com.
